Pastor addresses question: 'Can someone return from the dead>'

Answer: Rarely, but it has happened. Deuteronomy 30:19 and John 5:24 teach that God possesses life and death to use for his purposes. First Samuel 28 records King Saul's seei

Question: Can someone return from the dead?

- Beneil Watts,

Louisville, KY

Answer: Rarely, but it has happened. Deuteronomy 30:19 and John 5:24 teach that God possesses life and death to use for his purposes. First Samuel 28 records King Saul's seeing the prophet Samuel return from the dead. God allowed Samuel to return to bring Saul a message of doom. A few saints in both testaments prayed for the dead to be restored soon after they had died, and God answered their prayers. However, Jesus is the only one who ever brought back someone after he was buried. Lazarus, in John 11, was dead 4 days, and he was buried, when Jesus called him to come forth. Of course, there's the account in 1 Kings 13 of a dead man being thrown into Elisha's sepulcher and coming to life when he touched Elisha's bones; but God did that!

God doesn't honor mediums, channelers, or fortune-tellers because Deuteronomy 18:10-11 warns that such practices bring the wrath of God. When they appear to call someone back from the dead, you can be sure it's either a trick or a demonic apparition. Likewise, you should beware if you think someone from the dead has appeared to you. The Bible tells us to test all spirits to see if they honor Jesus as God's Son who came in the flesh to be our Savior. If the person who seemed to appear to you was saved, ask yourself some questions: "Why would they want to leave Heaven where they're serving God in perfect peace? Why bother to come to me when they now have perfect knowledge that God loves me and wants the best for me? They don't have to tell me of God's love when I have the Bible!"

If you think you've seen the return of an unsaved person, I assure you that you didn't! Luke 16:26 records Jesus telling of Abraham's saying that no one can return from Hell. This place of punishment for those who have rejected Jesus is surrounded by a great void which allows no one to cross. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Since death and the judgment - when we answer to Jesus - are certain, we would be wise to prepare for those two intruders by settling our case out of court!

- Dr. Tom Lovorn is pastor of God's Storehouse Baptist Church in Richmond. He writes a weekly column on religion for The Progress-Index. You may send your Bible questions to him in care of this newspaper or via his website at www.tomlovorn.us

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Submit Content

Market Place

Social Media

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Progress-Index ~ 15 Franklin Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service